Trees for Troops distributed at Nellis Published Dec. 15, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Cynthia A. Haughton Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- For the fifth year in a row, Nellis and Creech Airmen gathered Dec. 10 at the base chapel at the crack of dawn to unload a shipment of more than 650 Christmas trees--just a fraction of the more than 55,000 trees that were shipped to military bases nationwide and to bases in the Middle East. In conjunction with FedEx Corporation, the Trees for Troops program, created by the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, has touched the lives of more than 66,000 military families at more than 50 bases across the U.S. and overseas, donating and delivering free, farm-grown Christmas trees. "We are enormously grateful to the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and FedEx for continually supporting troops through the Trees for Troops program," said Col. Barry Cornish, 57th Wing vice commander. Throughout the morning, Airmen and their families were invited to find their perfect Christmas tree, free of charge, and have it trimmed and loaded onto their vehicles to take home. The Nellis Chapel staff provided refreshments for volunteers and tree "shoppers," and the Shriners donated clothing and household items for families and children. Items left over from the day were donated to needy families in the area. His first time being on location for this event, Bryan Frieden, the operations manager for FedEx, was able to see first-hand the impact the Trees for Troops program has on military families. "It's good to give something back to those who give so much," he said. Staff Sgt. Michael Newman, an F-16 crew chief from the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Viper Aircraft Maintenance Unit, and his 3-year-old daughter, Chloe, were excited to have such an opportunity. "I never had a real Christmas tree until this program was started," Sergeant Newman said as Chloe played with the branches on a nearby tree. "It's nice to be able to come and pick one out with my daughter and have everything taken care of." As great as the program is, none of it would be possible without the help of the many Airmen volunteers who come out every year to unload the trees from the delivery trucks, trim them for the customers and load them onto their vehicles. Among the volunteers were numerous Airmen from the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, who volunteer together every year. "I love being able to come out and help with this event," said Airman 1st Class Kyle Sole, a heavy equipment operator with the 99th CES. "It's nice to be able to help make Christmas more enjoyable for families; especially those whose spouses or parents are deployed." Airman 1st Class Brennen Bychinski, also a 99th CES heavy equipment operator, enjoys giving his time to help his fellow Airmen. "Christmas isn't about getting, it's about giving," he said. "This is such a great program, and I like knowing that I'm helping to make a difference in people's lives this Christmas."
